Prejudice: The Colored Glasses You Wear Without Realizing

Everyone believes they are right, yet this very belief is the source of suffering. Let us learn to recognize prejudice to unlock true wisdom.

Have you ever wondered: why do you always think you are right while others are wrong? All of us carry within us "patterns" formed by family, friends, and society. Sometimes, we live by these patterns without ever realizing it, and this is precisely prejudice. Prejudice is not some monstrous thing, but it is the root cause of all conflicts, disharmony, and suffering in life.

**Everyone Believes They Are Right**

Each person has their own way of life: one prefers rice, another prefers pho; one finds peace in visiting the temple, another enjoys karaoke. These perspectives differ, but everyone is convinced their own way is correct. Venerable Thich Chan Quang points out clearly:

"All people in this world believe they are right. The thought of being right, and prejudice, begins from that point."

It is this conviction of being "right" that creates the boundary between us and others. When two people both believe they are right yet their opinions clash, conflict arises. This is why we need to learn to look back at ourselves.

**What is Prejudice?**

Prejudice is when we confine our mind to a certain view, a certain understanding, and treat it as an immutable truth. The word "kiến" in classical script means view or understanding. When we choose a lifestyle or a method of practice, we often believe it is absolutely right and are no longer open to other possibilities.

The following story shows how dangerous prejudice can be: Two poor friends shared a loaf of bread. One cut the bread, but their own portion was two millimeters larger. The other glanced and saw this, and from that moment on, forever judged their friend as a bad person. But in reality, it was just hunger and a momentary oversight. Prejudice imprisons us in the past, preventing us from seeing the other person as they are now.

**When "Being Right" Becomes "Prejudice"**

Even correct things can become prejudice if we crystallize them into fixed views. For example, humility is a good virtue. But if a teacher is always excessively humble and submissive to their students, it is not appropriate. Venerable Chan Quang teaches:

"If you crystallize and fix that view, beware, there will be times it is wrong."

Humility is correct, but it is not always correct. Wisdom is knowing how to act appropriately in each specific circumstance. Therefore, we should not hastily crystallize anything into a fixed rule. Let the mind stay open, so it can respond correctly in every situation.

**Four Types of Understanding**

Venerable Chan Quang divides understanding into four types: completely wrong, correct but not absolutely so, a mixture of right and wrong, and absolutely right. Only the Buddhas have achieved absolute correctness. For us, most of our understanding is relatively correct. Hence, we must question our own beliefs:

"We must question our own beliefs, our own views. That is the first step of wisdom."

Do not think you already know everything. Be humble in learning and always be ready to change your viewpoint when you see something better.

**Harmful Prejudices**

Some mistaken prejudices cause suffering for oneself and others. For example, the idea that "the law of cause and effect is personal; one need not help others" may sound logical, but it actually lacks compassion. When we encounter someone suffering, we must open our hearts in sympathy and help according to our ability:

"When you meet such suffering people and you open your heart in sympathy, even if you cannot help yet, but if there is sympathy in your heart, your life will progress upward."

The scenes of suffering around us are precisely the opportunities to cultivate a compassionate heart. If we ignore them, we will decline. If we open our hearts, we will ascend.

**Transcending Prejudice, Living with Wisdom**

To transcend prejudice, let us question ourselves daily: "Are my views truly correct? Am I crystallizing them into fixed beliefs?" Let us listen, open our hearts, and see the world with compassionate eyes. In doing so, we will gradually attain true wisdom, the wisdom of the Buddhas.

Today's lesson invites us to turn inward, to know ourselves and to transcend ourselves. Let us start from today, with a smile and an open heart.